Chapter 1185
Carissa left the academy with Zoey, having someone lead her horse while she rode in Zoey's carriage. She had two things to tell Zoey.
First, she said, "Isaac sold some substandard goods. The proceeds, kept in the Glimmering Tower cellar, haven't been converted to banknotes."
Zoey softly replied, "That's what the Earl of Silverstone's family owes him. He should feel free to spend it. I've set aside some, just in case."
"He won't spend it. He doesn't need the money," Carissa stated.
Then, she continued, "Regarding Celeste, His Majesty has confirmed her identity. He knows she's taken a Lunvale woman as her godmother. The Spencer surname comes from a branch of the Ebonflow Spencer family, who also conduct business in Lunvale. The person she was conspiring with is likely from that family. His Majesty should act against them, but if he doesn't, your family could face a far more perilous situation."
Carissa omitted key details, such as the investigation into the Lunvale private army—information that could not be revealed. She offered this only to prepare Zoey. If Oliver changed his mind, the Earl of Silverstone's family might still avoid the worst. At worst, they'd lose their title, but that wasn't the ultimate catastrophe. It all hinged on Zoey's ability to sway Oliver.
After listening, Zoey simply nodded silently. Carissa, understanding Zoey had done her best but Oliver remained unmoved, patted Zoey's hand without offering comfort. She alighted halfway and rode back to her residence.
Some changes are so gradual they become accepted almost imperceptibly. For example, when Carissa once rode through the streets in official attire, the common people stared. Now, many greet her with a smile. They had accepted this unconventional princess consort, though not entirely this unconventional woman.
Chapter 1195
The next evening, Malcolm learned of Jocelyn's expulsion. However, neither Vera nor Jocelyn revealed the whole truth. They claimed several young women had argued, and Carissa intervened, resulting in Jocelyn's expulsion.
Malcolm, usually cautious, had grown arrogant and overconfident in the Quinton family's upbringing. He believed his relatives incapable of wrongdoing. Jocelyn's tearful explanation—that she'd argued with other young ladies to protect his reputation—provoked shame and indignation, clouding his judgment.
His affair with a mistress, despite his attempts at secrecy, persistently surfaced in gossip, constantly challenging his authority. He believed Carissa was deliberately targeting him, as she had personally managed the arrangements for Henry's concubines and children, which had led Marjorie to discover his affair.
Marjorie had become cold and distant, still managing the household but less involved. Because of these issues, he never questioned Jocelyn and Vera's account.
The mother and daughter never anticipated he would seek out Carissa to defend them, as he usually ignored such matters. They miscalculated, making Malcolm believe Carissa targeted him, not Jocelyn.
While Malcolm might not defend his family's fourth branch, he would fiercely defend his honor. Thus, he made the second greatest mistake of his life: he sent a former student to lodge a formal complaint against Carissa, accusing her of bias and using her position at Gracewood Women's Academy to target the Quinton family.
Although Malcolm didn't submit the petition himself, its origin was widely known at court.
Initially, the women's academy attracted little official attention. Sending daughters there was largely a gesture of respect to the Queen Dowager, who had decreed its founding. But now, a formal complaint against Carissa, involving Gracewood, brought the academy into a new light.
Salvador completely ignored the matter, seemingly unheard. After a brief glance across the hall, he asked, "Is there anything else to report?" His disregard was a direct affront to Malcolm. The court fell silent before other officials began reporting.